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Foundation students whip up the perfect blend with The Roastery

Northampton Saints' HITZ and Engage Plus students got a whole new perspective on the 'daily grind' last month, as they came together for an 'Introduction to Coffee' course with The Roastery and Bella Barista in Wellingborough.

During the half-term break, selected students from the Saints Foundation's two programmes were enrolled on the course and the day was a roaring success with all participants passing an SCA-certified (Specialty Coffee Association) exam after the experts had spilled the beans.

"I'm sure many of our participants will take their interest in coffee making forward from here."

Jordan Letts, social inclusion manager

The Foundation's students learned about the journey of coffee from farm to cup, green coffee, sensory skills, roasting, brewing and barista – gaining an understanding of the way harvest, process and roast affect flavour, how to taste like a professional, hand brewing and extraction theory, and espresso-making technique.

"It was incredible to see how engaged the students were during the coffee course," said Jordan Letts, social inclusion manager for Saints Foundation. 

"Opportunities like these make our social inclusion department very special, and I'm sure many of our participants will take their interest in coffee making forward – we hope some may even progress into employment from here."

Passing the 'Introduction to Coffee' course has unlocked the way to a career in coffee for many people. The variety of topics covered make it a great way to get an overview of the different pathways you might follow.

And off the back of seeing several students complete their training, the Foundation has had advanced talks with local coffee organisations and shops with the aim of placing students in employment to kick-off their coffee careers.

"The day went brilliantly and after a couple of hours the young chaps really got stuck in."

Marcel Binley, The Roastery

Marcel Binley, managing director of The Roastery and Bella Barista, added: "It was an absolute pleasure to invite Northampton Saints Foundation to our coffee academy.

"We have always intended to offer this fantastic facility to youngsters needing a helping hand and a qualification that may help their future employment.

"The session was the first of its kind. When we spoke with SCA they instantly offered to supply the certificates free of charge and we're also really grateful to Martin Richards from Marco Beverage Systems, who kindly offered his time to coach the course.

"The day went brilliantly and after a couple of hours the young chaps really got stuck in to the facts and figures of making good coffee, and all experienced the roasting side too.

"It was great that they all passed the exam and now have the SCA introduction to coffee qualification. I can’t wait to do it again."